The Art of Present buying for Men
| Published: 15th November 2008 21:45 |
Present buying, or to be more specific, present buying for men!
It has the ability to fill most of us with dread, unless you're one of the lucky ones whose partner or dad is an avid golfer of fisherman. Then there is no end to the paraphernalia you can buy to enhance their hobby.
My husband loathes both and, rather depressingly, has a birthday on Christmas Eve. I spend the whole of December frantically trying to come up with some original ideas - if I am bored of buying CD's books and jumpers then it must be really boring to receive them year in year out.
Last year I thought that I'd been really clever. Whilst browsing around the craft village at Barleylands, waiting for my daughter's dance class to finish, I wandered into Dean Smith's Art Studio. The fantastic painting of Paul Weller first attracted me, but I soon became fascinated by the art class taking place at the rear of the studio.
I had a chat with Dean Smith who informed me that a painting could usually be completed during four-session course, at the ridiculously cheap price of £20.00.
Now I can't paint or draw - my children view my efforts with disdain - but I know a man who can! Bingo!
In the weeks leading up to Christmas I was feeling quite smug. I went ahead and bought the usual plethora of predictable gifts, safe in the knowledge that I had at least one true surprise.
And a surprise it was!. I have never seen anyone so under- whelmed to receive a present! He gawped at the voucher in amazement, then stared at me open mouthed.
‘An art course?' ‘Yes' I replied, beaming excitedly. ‘Oh you'll love it! Dean Smith is really nice and it's all really laid back and everyone on the course looked like they loved it and it's only at Barleylands and you can paint whatever you want and.....'
Still the incredulous expression stared back at me. ‘But I can't paint' came the reply. ‘Listen we're not talking watercolour challenge here you know! You'll be fine' I retorted, trying to keep the irked edge from my voice. ‘Perhaps you could start with the children!'
All over Christmas I kept overhearing him telling people in a dumbfounded voice, ‘Well you'll never guess what I got for Christmas!' By New Years Eve I'd had enough and pulled him to one side. ‘Look' I said, ‘this was only a stocking filler. Don't go if you don't want to.' ‘No it's OK, I'll give it a try' he replied, a tad of martyrdom creeping in. ‘But where do you think I should park and I don't know what I should take'. Good grief, how many children do I have?
Well we waved him off as he left, full of apprehension, but he needn't have worried. A man of few words, he came back rather pleased with himself, saying that he had enjoyed it and would definitely complete the course. I was delighted and when, four weeks later he brought the finished article home, I was gob smacked! His portrait of John Lennon was really very good.!
The classes are very laid back. The students choose their subject matter and Dean and his partner Ben are on hand to offer advice and assistance when required.
One year on and my husband is a regular. When he dragged me into an art shop to buy his own palette and acrylics, I knew that my gift had been a success, though quite where he thinks his portraits of the four Beatles are going to go is another matter!
Best of all, my husband now officially has a hobby and I need never be stuck for present ideas again.
Is your partner an artist in the making? If so why not contact Dean Smith on 01268 522973 or visit Dean Smith's Studio's website.
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